Police Shoot Pit Bull Near Theater Complex

June 20, 2001|STAFF REPORTS

Police on Monday shot and killed a dog they said was menacing people and lunging viciously at officers. But the dog's owner, distressed at the shooting, said the dog had never before displayed aggressive behavior.

Hollywood police received a call about 9:50 p.m. from an employee of a business at 300 Oakwood Lane that a vicious dog was loose and wouldn't let anyone enter the store. A short time later, police found a pit bull mix running loose near the Oakwood Regal Cinemas at 2800 Oakwood Lane, Police Lt. Tony Rode said.

The dog reportedly lunged at an officer and then ran away after being hit with pepper spray. The dog then ran at another officer nearby, so the officer fired twice and killed it, Rode said.

Police cited the dog's owner, Suzanne Cosio, 23, for owning a vicious animal and allowing an animal to run loose without a leash, Rode said.